Windows 7: Reinstalling Win 7 on my laptop no discs provided when purchased...

I would like to reinstall Windows 7 64bit on my laptop but there weren't any discs with my Compaq Presario CQ56-115DX laptop. There is a partition labeled SYSTEM which I was under the impression that it was for Recovery/Reinstall but I can't access it and if I could I wouldn't know what to do with it. Do I have to burn it to a disc? I have a Win 7 disc that I d/l from Microsoft and burned to a disc and have the installation key for my laptop. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanx!!

Usually the OS that ships on the PC has a utility to create the system recovery/reinstall discs from the recovery partition.

The F11 key during boot, opens the Recovery Tools and will format the hdd and reinstall the OS and programs that came with the computer.

Have a look here: Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery Compaq Presario CQ56-115DX Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Do you have or have you created a set of recovery discs in case the recovery partition gets corrupted?

I tried to use the F11 method but no go...I didn't make any Recovery Discs when I purchased the laptop...should I try to use the disc I created and enter the key that's on a sticker on the bottom of my laptop; would that work?

Follow these steps to get a perfect reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

If your Recovery Partition will not boot with the Fkey given in Manual or on first boot screen, you can delete it as shown during reinstall.

Upload a shot of Disk Management we can examine before you attempt an install.

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

Pressing the f11 key during startup on a computer with an HP factory image will start the system recovery process even if the prompt is not displayed.

How to use HP Recovery:
Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)
Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7) - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

How to make HP Recovery DVD disks:
Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

How to make HP Recovery USB disk:
Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk HP Pavilion dv6700z CTO Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

or
You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
Compaq Mini CQ10-500 PC series*-* HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP - c00810334 - HP Business Support Center

I think you could ask the vendor from whom you purchased the machine to give you a recovery DVD.

Otherwise if the product key of you installed version is indicated at the base of your Laptop then you can use it to install the same version of Windows 7 that is already in use after downloading it from the Net.

The reason they don't provide an installer DVD, is because a lot of software comes together with the laptop, as a means of publicity to you. If you reinstall from a DVD, this software/publicity is lost.

I had a same experience, waiting/searching where to find an install DVD of windows 7 (because I tend to play with my partitions :-), and I lost some.......). Then I got bored and tried to install linux (plenty of install dvd's over there)... I was a little amazed, especially about the slickness of Pinguy! Now I have my install dvd whenever I need it...